The Original 1939 Cast starring Rosalind Russell, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer,
Paulette Goddard and Joan Fontaine. There were NO men in this film.
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George Cukor directed The Women in 1939, and Diane English directed her
version of the film in 2008. I specifically say "her version" because
it is radically different from the original. Diane felt that after 70 years,
women had become more supportive of each other, less catty and vindictive.
The original film states "it's all about men." The new version is definitely
all about women. Not a man in sight, and very few on anyone's mind, except
of course for the wandering husband.
The new film's cast of Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Candace Bergen, Eva Mendes, Debi Mazar, Carrie Fisher, a cameo by Bette Midler,
and an outstanding at 82 Cloris Leachman, who has some of the best comic
lines in the film, do a wonderful job of being friends, confidants,
even in betrayal and sadness, they are dynamic. The film ends quite
appropriately in a birthing room, as Debra Messing gives birth to her
fifth child. This new film is all about women, their power, their
passions, their drive, and oh yes, their relationships with the invisible
men.
At first, I was appalled at the difference between the two films, but then
I realized that Diane English was right, women had changed, and they didn't
need to be so catty or clever or "in your face" with the outfits and the style
that was so predominant in the original. I've actually watched it five times,
and at the end now, I cry. Isn't that something? Quite a switch from the
original, which was a comedy classic.
Jiva
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